USA · updated 1h ago · 3 min read
Tom Tiffany and Pilot Leonard Boltz Swim to Safety After Emergency Landing in Lake Wausau
Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz swam to shore after emergency water landing on Lake Wausau. Plane lost power during final approach to Wausau Downtown Airport; Tiffany sustained minor injuries.
14 outlets, one story, no spin found.
10 of 11 outlets skipped it: pilot attempted to restart the plane but was unsuccessful.
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Lake Wausau Landing
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, survived an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau after the light aircraft he was traveling in lost power during the final approach to Wausau Downtown Airport.
“the two survivors pulled out of the water were “alert and conscious,””
Tiffany said the pilot told him, “We are going down. Pull your seat belt tight,” and he described that about 10 seconds later the plane hit the water.
NBC News reported that rescue teams were called to reports of a downed plane with two people in the water, and that audio from emergency services indicated the two survivors pulled out of the water were “alert and conscious.”
Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz swam to safety and were transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where Tiffany said he received stitches above his right eye and both men were released after minor injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate the crash of a Beechcraft K35 with two people aboard, while the National Transportation Safety Board said it was waiting for the FAA to assess whether the damage was substantial enough for it to get involved.
Pilot, Firefighters, Rival
At a news conference Sunday, Tiffany recounted the moments before the crash and said the pilot told him to buckle in as the plane lost power on approach to Wausau Downtown Airport.
Tiffany also thanked the Wausau Fire Department and first responders, saying, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all of the first responders who came to our aid so quickly.”
His Democratic opponent, David Crowley, reacted on X by saying, “I’m grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot.”
NBC News reported that Tiffany said he was released from the hospital Saturday night “after receiving stitches above my right eye, and the pilot was also released,” and that he described there was “no panic” as he and Boltz swam to a nearby sandbar.
WPR reported that Tiffany estimated they stood on top of the sinking plane for roughly ten minutes before beginning to swim toward shore, and that firefighters rescued the two men using an airboat around 9:05 p.m.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities said the emergency landing happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday, and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said dispatchers received the call at 8:49 p.m. Saturday.
“A no-wake buoy was placed near the plane, which remained in the lake”
The plane remained in the lake, and the sheriff’s office reported that a no-wake buoy was placed near the plane while boaters were asked to avoid the area until the aircraft can be removed.
The Independent reported that a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said the agency would investigate the incident, and that a National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said the NTSB was waiting for the FAA to assess the plane.
WPR said Tiffany believes the pilot, Leonard Boltz, attempted to restart the plane but was unsuccessful, and it reported that Tiffany estimated the plane was going around 70 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
Tiffany said the incident would not deter his campaign for governor, telling reporters, “I signed up for this job. We’re going to finish the job,” as the FAA and NTSB prepared their investigation.